Is Saving a Few Dollars Worth the Risk?

Choosing the Right Contractor

When you need to have your air conditioning system installed or repaired, your first decision will be what contactor to hire, and you can choose between licensed and unlicensed contractors to do the job.

License = Knowledge

You may think that a licensed contractor will cost more, and you could be right... at least in the beginning. But a/c systems are complicated, and if they are not installed and serviced just right, they simply will not last very long. State licensed contractors are tested to prove that they know what they are doing, and they must continue to take classes every year to keep their skills fresh and up-to-date.

Insurance Matters

Maybe even more importantly, licensed contractors carry all the necessary insurance. So if a technician gets hurt while working on your property, the contractor's insurance will pay any damages. An unlicensed, uninsured contractor, on the other hand, relies on your homeowners insurance to cover his workers! If someone gets hurt, guess who is liable!

Permits Keep You Covered

You may be tempted to not pull a permit to have your new air conditioner installed, because, let's face it, its a hassle. But think about the consequencses. If you don't have a permit, and a city inspector is driving by and sees the work going on, you could face fines. Even worse, when you go to sell your house, you may not be able to do so because you have had unpermitted work done. Finally, a permit is proof that your contractor is following all applicable local and state codes, which means that the job will be done right!